Colin Powell Is Ready To Endorse

When Colin Powell turns off his TV after the final presidential debate, he will have learned everything he is going to learn about the candidates vying to succeed his former boss, George W. Bush. Powell has made it clear that he has been thinking about an endorsement for a long time but wanted to hear more from the candidates before making his choice. It now seems beyond doubt that Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama and thereby hammer the final nail in the coffin of the Republican campaign to hold onto the White House.

The recent ugliness of the McCain-Palin rally audiences cannot be lost on Colin Powell. And Powell is not one to ignore a 14 point lead in a New York Times poll. But most important for Powell and the press will be his explicit rejection of the Bush-McCain approach to Iraq, Iran and the rest of the world.

Powell's endorsement will be perfectly timed to dominate a news cycle or two. It will give Obama the one thing he still needs more of--credibility as Commander-In-Chief. And Sarah Palin's speechwriters will be hard pressed to come up with a condescending quip about it.

Comments

[gcswift2]

While I would be happy, to see that yet even another republican rat has fled the sinking Neocon ship. However; As a former US Marine and an Iraq war Vet, I have to say I don't trust Colin Powell. He lost any and ALL creditability when he gave that presentation to the U.N. He betrayed Me and ALL the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, & MARINES of this great country. I have lost too many friends and We have lost too many of this countries best and brightest because of Colin Powell's abdication of duty.

Once upon a time Gen. Powell could be believed..­. That time has long since past.

[rhubardpi]

I could not agree more, well said Marine.

[JimNauseam]

Allow me to predict for you what our friends on the Right will say: "Man, those people really stick together, don't they?"

[sheridare]

Those ones--

[snowjob]

This has been on my wish list for a while now, I sure hope that it is true.

[WAWTU31]

what the hells with the delay? is this really hard

[hapiday]

It would be nice but not necessary. Powell probably will not endorsed Obama. He's a smart man, he knows the backlash that will result from the increased attacks that will be heaped on Obama. He will however, speak very favorably of him. Obama can win without his endorsement. What Obama needs is for people to do is vote. If Obama wins I am sure Powell will be an adviser to the Obama Administration. Wow he sure looks good for 71yrs old!

[imfedup]

He will endorse Obama. He has nothing whatsoever to lose. Kathleen Parker and Christopher Buckley are brave, and I believe Powell will be brave now. He will redeem himself, at least partially, by doing the right thing this time.

[anemorea]

This article is an interesting interpretation of "journalism". I'm aware journalists have long had trouble reporting unbiased facts, but what sources are there in this article to indicate that Colin Powell will endorse Obama, besides the writer's own personal opinion? I can arbitrarily invent random scenarios I would like to see come to life as well, maybe I should become a journalist too!

If someone really needs vindication from another person as to whether or not they've made the right decision, perhaps they shouldn't be allowed to vote: this goes for both McCain and Obama supporters. Any intelligent person who has taken the time to form their own personal opinions and convictions--rather than allowing themselves to be spoon-fed by puff pieces, the media, and the syrupy words of dishonest politicians--will not have their mind's changed by this. Any if a Republican changes their mind simply due to Powell's supposed endorsement of Obama, it will be no big loss: I would rather a person who has no ability to think for themselves be on the opposing side, rather than my own.

[sheridare]

I hope it's true that Powell plans to endorse Obama. Such an endorsement would dominate the news cycle for at least 24 hours and could hold sway with some "undecideds". It's likely that Powell cringes when he thinks of the possibility of Palin as Commander in Chief. That is one possiblity that all Americans should seriously ponder before casting the vote. I mean, get real folks, this isn't a game.

[Archivist1000]

The news cycle will be about Palin on SNL .. don't kid yourself!

[SOLERSO68]

Hello everyone. It collin powell, loyal servant of the bush family and of Karl Rove. Thsi is the man who sacrificed his honor and his credibility to sell us the war in Iraq. I do not trust this man and talk of his coming endorsement has me deeply worried.

[sammdphd]

this is probably his way of saying that he has made a mistake. I see it as defector of the republican party.

[sanywhere]

it will be done sunday, live, on mtp

[writerforhire]

He is not going to endorse either candidate.

Which ever man is elected Colin Powell has opportunity to return to the White House. So what is best?

Sit it out and wait or speak and lose?

(watch he will endorse right now)

[harriettubman]

If I were him. I wouldn't tell the public who I was voting for. Nada, zip, zilch, zero.

[Carsy]

I have a feeling you may be right. I think he won't endorse either.

[ChristopherLib]

Powell is the only person to come out of the Bush Adminstration with high favorability ratings. Only some remnents of the anti war movement still stuck in 2003 care about that much about his UN speech. Iraq was a Bush Cheney Rumsfeld policy. I and most people concider him an honorable man. This is a definate plus for Obama.

[sanywhere]

there are a lot more then a remnant of the anti-war movement that still care. i know that after he did that, and a lot of looking into past allegations, it is clear that he is not an honorable man. he goes along with what he is told to do, no matter the outcome. it is thoreau's soldiers in person. he is not respected in right wing or left wing circles. he is only respected by those who have not been paying attention to history.

[harriettubman]

Ok, when was the last time you disobeyed your commander in chief or boss? Tell me when. Powell was a cabinet member and he followed orders. Don't give me that crap about him not being respected. He is HIGHLY respected. Just a few idiots didn't want his diplomacy talk but wanted to go into this ridiculous war.

[JoyinWA]

Powell has been a statesman, and a true man of honor. I can only think that he must now speak up in support of Obama, and a real change with strategic direction. He was used by the Bush Administration in the UN speech, he had been given intel that was being controlled by Cheney and Rumsfield. I can imagine that this timing is not coincidental to the close of this campaign. He will weigh in with the right words, at the right time... and thank God for Colin Powell, a true leader!

[DrYRHead]

Shortly after the Iraq war began, Powell was shoved aside in favor of Rice. That is about the time that Powell should have realized that he, and many others, had been coned about the Iraq WMD lie. Bush Jr and company just wanted to take down Saddam and take over the Iraqi oil fields. The whole thing had nothing to do with any Iraqi terrorist treat, for that was the 2nd lie that Bush Jr had pushed out there about Iraq.

[nonamenm]

Well has he endorsed anybody. The debate is over. How about some follow-up.

[dswansoniceman]

He's on meet the press this sunday. gotta be the reason he's on I think.

[theone718]

"In a tough period for the G.O.P., Powell remains the party's most beloved national figure. During his tenure as Secretary of State, Powell's unfavorable rating held to a remarkable five percent -- more in line with Santa Claus than a Bush administration official -- while 60 percent of Americans viewed him favorably. (The rest had not heard of him or were undecided, according to the CBS/NYT poll.) His favorables are even higher among registered voters (67%), who tend to follow the news more. Finally, in polls like Gallup, which leave out the "undecided" option, Powell's favorables hit the 80s. "He's one of the most respected people in this country," Douglas added during our conversation, and the numbers back that up."


THIS is why the endorsement is so very important. Powell is one of the most respected men IN THIS ENTIRE NATION. His endorsement will control the news cycle for 1-2 days and that is all we need. The Obama campaign will time this one perfectly.

[joansie]

I used to respect Collin Powell. His endorsement means nothing now. If he didn't like the Bush--McCain regime, he should have come out for Obama long ago.

[dswansoniceman]

Now is the perfect time. Right before the election.. Before people on the right can try to tear him down. And the bonus will be it'll get joe the plumber off the news finally.

[ChristopherLib]

Some of these anti war folks have to stop living in 2002 and 2003. It's 2008 alright. Powel is an honorable man.

[sanywhere]

maybe you need to learn how to type something else. you said the same thing above.

[Tulka2]

In my opinion...­? The only people who at all care what Powell thinks are voting Republican. Do you actually imagine there is an undecided voter in American who will vote for Obama because Powell says he will? I would like to meet that person. Rarer than a plumber who makes 250 K a year.

[dswansoniceman]

Um.. yes, most of the undecideds will see this as an endorsement of Obama's ability to be commander in chief, it'll help him get over that hurdle once and for all.

[JFaye]

An endorsement from Mr. Powell is significant and not unexpected.

The selection of Ms. Palin as Senator McCain's running mate in all probability gave him, as well many other Republicans, no other option. (Mr. McCain does not look well as his right [I think] lower jaw continues to protrude and increase in size. Why aren't journalists asking for recent medical records?) What general would find it easy to report to Sarah Palin ... nothing to do with her being a woman, rather the obvious ...

Although, it's clear Mr. Powell thinks highly of Mr. Obama ... For the sake of Country, allegiance to party is moot because of the seriousness of this time!